# NTSB SEA99IA148: Embraer ERJ-135, Moses Lake, WA, August 24, 1999

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1999, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 47.190353, -119.299667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1904&lon=-119.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99IA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99IA148

## Probable cause

Minimum aircraft control exceeded during takeoff test flight, which resulted in dragging a wing on the runway surface.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a minimum unstick speed determination test flight, the aircraft lifted off to about five feet and, just prior to achieving aileron effectiveness, the aircraft rolled to the left.  The left wing dropped and contacted the runway surface, resulting in minor damage to the wingtip and outboard trailing edge of the aileron.  The pilot continued the takeoff and returned for landing without further incident.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 1999, at 1110 Pacific daylight time, an Embraer ERJ-135, PTZJA, registered to and operated by Embraer as a 14 CFR Part 91 test flight, dragged a wing tip on the runway and damaged runway lights during a minimum unstick speed flight test at the Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane received minor damage and the two airline transport pilots and flight engineer, were not injured.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that the test maneuver was a minimum unstick speed determination.  The pilot stated that during the eighth takeoff the aircraft lifted off to about five feet and, just prior to achieving aileron effectiveness, the aircraft rolled to the left.  The left wing dropped and contacted the runway surface, resulting in minor damage to the wingtip and outboard trailing edge of the aileron.  The pilot continued the takeoff and returned for landing without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: PTZJA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Embraer ERJ-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 145801
- Engines: Rolls-Royce A3007 7500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Embraer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MWH
- Airport: MWH, Grant County, runway 32R, 13,502 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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